Lock for top boxes of wagons



(No Model.)

T. FLEMING.

LOCK FOR 'TOP BOXES 0F WAGQNS. No. 272,832. I Patented Feb.-20, 1-883.

UNITED STATES PATENT Genres.

THOMAS FLEMING, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

LOCK FOR TOP BOXES OF WAGONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,832, dated vFebruary 20, 1883.

Application filed November 29, 1882. (No model.)

, being had to the accompanying drawings,and

to the letters of reference marked thereon,

which form part ofthis specification, in which Figure 1 is a side view of part of a top-box side-hoard secured in place on the side-board of a wagon-body, showing my improved locking device applied. Fig.2 is a section through Fig.1, taken in the vertical plane indicated by dotted line w x thereon. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the catch, showing the recess for the spring-latch and the stud which is cast on the catch. Figs. 4 and 5 are top views ofthe two staples employed.

Heretofore top boxes of wagons were held upon the top edges of the side-boards thereof simply by means of cleats and staples. This will prevent lateral displacement of the top boxes, but does not prevent vertical motion. For ordinary loads of bulky articles the said cleats and staples will suflice; but for grainsuch as wheat, outs, and shelled corn-loaded in bulk directly into the wagon-box the said fastenings will not do. As soon as the wagon passes over a rough piece of road thejar will jump the top box up and allow a constant leakage of the grain, for the reason that when a few grains getbetween the edges of the boards of the top box and wagon-bed a permanent opening is maintained through which the grain leaks.

To overcome the above-mentioned objection the nature of my invention consists in adaptiug a catch of novel construction to the sideboards ofa top box and wagon-bed,which catch will securely hold the parts together, as Wlll be fully understood from the following description,when taken in connection with the annexed drawings.

A designates part of the side-board of a wagon-bed,and B is part of the side-board of a top box adjusted on the board A.

E designates a cleat which is rigidly secured to the outside of the top-box side-board B,and which is received through a staple, a, rigidly secured to the side-board A. These cleats are used to prevent lateral displacement of the top box; but theydo not prevent vertical mo tion thereof.

I will now describe one of mylocking-down devices, which will hold the top box firmly in place on the side-boards ot' the wagon-bed.

Gdesignatesacast-metalhooking-catch.having an engaging-nose, Z), and constructed with -a recess in its shank, in which one end of a spring latching-tongue, O, is secured bya rivet; cast on the said shank.

Ddesignatesastaple,whichisrigidlysecured 6 to the side-board A of the wagon-bed, and adapted by its shoulder 0 to receive and engage with the hooked end b of the catch'U. This catch 0 is pivoted, by a rivet-pin, d, to the side-board B of the top box, which pin passes through board B and through the lower solid part, e, of an angular frame, E, which is securely fastened to board B and serves as a batten for strengthening the same, against splitting. The frame E being made of metal, its lower part, 0, serves as a solid washer for the catch 0.

G designates a staple having an internal shoulder, f, and rigidly secured to the sideboard B, at the upper extremity of the frame F. It desired, the staple G and frame F may be cast entire, and through this staple Gpasses the spring part Oot the vibrating catch 0. and is adapted to latch behind the should'erf and to lock the nose of catch 0 under the shouldered part c of the staple D. By simply pressing the upper end of the spring-latch C inward it can be released from the shoulderf of 'staple G, and the nose of catch 0 disengaged from the shoulder a of the staple D, thus aliowo ing the top box to be lifted from the wagon-bed.

1 shall of course employ for each wagon a number ofthe lockingorholding-down devices.

Having described my invention,\vhat I claim as new,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination of a locking-catch and its spring-latch with the shouldered staples D G, constructed and adapted to operate substantially in the manner and for the purposes I00 described.

2. The combination of the pivoted locking catch, its spring-latch, the shouldered staple G, the bracing-frame F, and the shouldered staple D, all constructed and adapted to op- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as erate substantially in the manner and for the my own I affix my signature in presence of two purposes described. witnesses.

3. The combination of the pivoted locking- 5 book, the spring-latch rigidly secured to the THOMAS FLEMING. c

shank thereof, the staple, and the frame apa plied to the top box, with a shouldered staple Witnesses: applied to the side-board of the wagon-bed, SAM. N. DU SHANE, substantially in the manner and for the pur- GEO. W. MATTHEWS.

ro poses described. 

